Living Large in San Francisco

San Francisco is a city with limitless possibilities, especially if you’re a connoisseur of the luxurious lifestyle. Though the city is much larger than Union Square, Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District, this post should give you some great ideas for high rolling adventures in The City By The Bay.

Union Square

If you enjoy an indulgent lifestyle then you’re going to have a hard time ever leaving Union Square behind. Many shops, art galleries, night clubs, restaurants and hotels in this scenic part of the city are the epitome of elegance and luxury.

Even though a ban on the sale of foie gras has been in effect since July 1st, the Fifth Floor is still an excellent spot for dining and cocktails. Plan on settling down with a few custom cocktails at the Fifth Floor, since the waiting time between meal courses can be a little bit long — but it’s always worth it.
It’s hard to go wrong with any seafood dish at this contemporary, intimate eatery and a taste of either The Boston Tea Party or 24 Martini are on par with any designer drink in the city.

If you’re staying in the area, St. Regis Hotel San Francisco is an excellent hotel that’s less than half a mile from Union Square — hello, walking distance!

As expected of a high quality hotel, the rooms are the essence of luxury. The excellent view of the city, proximity to Union Square and the Indoor Infinity Pool put the St. Regis ahead of the pack. Union Square SF is a great source for specific information and event listings in Union Square.

Haight-Ashbury

Though Haight-Ashbury is much different than it was fifty years ago in the age of flower power, it’s still a must-visit destination for any traveler. The streets are paradise for book lovers, record collectors and fashionistas — there’s plenty of shopping all around.

For great Middle Eastern cuisine, spiced wine and belly dancing check out Kan Zaman. Though it used to be known as a hookah bars, hookahs are no longer allowed indoors in San Francisco bars and eateries.
That doesn’t stop Kan Zaman from being a unique experience on lively weekend nights.

Less than a mile from Haight-Ashbury, Casa Luna Rentals San Francisco doesn’t just rent hotel rooms — it rents two room apartments! Complete the experience with a private chef. Casa Luna also prides itself on being eco-friendly, a trait that perfectly captures the spirit of San Francisco.

Market Street is also easily accessible from Casa Luna, but it’s not likely that you’ll get bored wandering around Haight-Ashbury during a short stay.

Mission District

The Mission is a great place for art, music, food and cocktails, as well as a great place to learn about the history of the city.

Before you head to a cantina or taqueria, make sure you visit Mission Dolores, which is both a must-see landmark and a museum of culture hosted in San Francisco’s oldest building.

Balmy Alley and Clarion Alley are an excellent place to check out a plethora of amazing murals that capture the essence of The Mission in modern times and days gone by.

Though great Mexican food is abundant, there are some other options to try in The Mission. Nicaragua Restaurant serves excellent Nicaraguan cuisine, along with a variety of beer and wine. Newcomers should try one of the sample plates, but remember to pack cash — Nicaragua Restaurant doesn’t take credit or debit cards.

The Mission is also quite close to the St. Regis, but the Mandarin Oriental, San Francisco is another good choice for lodging when visiting the Mission District. It includes everything you’d expect from a luxury hotel, but also grants easy access to Chinatown.

San Francisco offers plenty of opportunities for people who enjoy the finer things in life. There’s much more to the city than Union Square, Haight-Ashbury and the Mission District… but you have to start somewhere, right?

Author bioWesley McDonald is a proud San Franciscan who enjoys blogging about travel, culture, the hospitality industry and life in the city. He is an online publisher for the San Francisco hotel experts.

About Author

Walter Schaerer’s extensive background in the travel industry, passionate enthusiasm for photography and a firm belief that luxury destinations can also be affordable; were some of the main factors that motivated him to create the travel blog travelmemo.com. In his day job Walter is a web product manager based out of Zurich, Switzerland.